Visit Longford? Any advice.
 

I am planning an 8 day trip to Ireland at the end of April with my father and his brother. We plan to fly into Shannon and get around by rented car (which we will rent ahead of time). My question is this - how long would it take to go from Shannon to County Longford? My father's family is originally from there. I know that "genealogical research" in Ireland is difficult, but it would be nice to visit the town where my great great grandfather was born. Eventually, we want to make our way down to Kerry and then over to Cork and Dungarvan and back to Shannon. I just wondered if anyone had any advice about Longford, at all. How far is it and how difficult a ride? I understand the town, Tenelick, is VERY small. I would love to be able to take my father and his brother, but I don't want to go for 5 hours in the car and have it not be worth it. Any suggestions?

Nancy, <BR>First things first remember that driving is different in Ireland - we drive on the other side and most of the secondary roads and main routes outside the major cities are twisty in comparsio n to USA highways etc so after a long flight from the States I would advise an overnight stop within a hour or so of Shannon so if you are heading north to Longford then aim for a stopover in Limerick, a large city which has a selection of hotels,m B&Bs etc. If you are going to Limerick then stop off at Bunratty Castle and Park. The exhibition and re-built houses etc in the Park will give you an idea of what life was like when you grandfather left Ireland. Regarding Longford it is too far to drive to directly with jet lag and on the other side of the road. I would advise a trip up that part of the country as the scenery is very different from the south where you are planning to visit. If you are not tied to time you could spend the first day in Bunratty and Limerick and then up to Longford - stopping off in Kilbeggan to visit the whiskey distillery and through Mullingar and the lake district and into County Longford. Take your time and if you do not find that you get to Longford in one day (and it is possible) then stay Mullingar - try Reynella Farmhouse outside the town. It is a good B&B. One other place in the region worth a visit is Strokestown House and Famine Musuem in Strokestown Co Roscommon, on the other side of the county visit the ancient passage graves of Lough Crew near the towns of Oldcastle and Kells - these are just some addiitonal sites apart from the family interest. <BR> <BR>Now where exactly is Tenelick ? I don't think it is a town (and by the way I am Irish) It may be just a townland not a town which means it is a collection of fields etc. Have you got your grandfather's birth certificate ? If so then see what parish it is in and write to the parish priest in that area and he will be able to tell you from the records where the family home may be (lots of ruins around Ireland) and he may put you in touch with distant relatives. Genealogical research is not difficult in Ireland at all. It is just knowing where to start. In addition write to the local newspaper - Longford News (try www.nuj.ie for links to local Irish newspapers) seeking details about your grandfather - give full names, date of birth, date of emigration etc and everything else you have. So before you even leave the States you should have sufficient material to start your search, and I would advise that you do search as it will give you and your father and his brother a better understanding of the life your grandfather left for the island of Ireland today bears nothing in resemblence to the Ireland of the 1800s. In fact it has changed so much in the last 20 years never mind the last 100 years. Did you grandfather sail from Queenstown now Cobh (pronounced Cove)to the States ? If he did then check out the heritage centre in Cobh - just outside Cork - when you down south it is well worth a visit. Finally contact the irish tourist baord - bord failte for further information, Enjoy the trip

Nancy, <BR>Not sure if you have read my post so I am sending this to the top again. Cathy

Yes Cathy I did receive your post. I tried to contact you directly to thank you. If the email didn't get to you - I apologize. Thank you very much for your informative post.

You are welcome, any other questions post here as opposed to e-mailing. I rarely check my e-mail at home, only that at work. <BR> <BR>Cathy